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Think Before Giving a Heirloom Engagement Ring February 21, 2008

Posted by Jill Renee in : Proposing Marriage, Romantic Tips , add a comment

It’s time to get engaged, and one of the highlights of the engagement is flashing that gorgeous diamond engagement ring. As the soon-to-be bride-to-be, you’re all set to say “yes.” And the best part – instead of purchasing a ring, you and the fiancé have decided to use a family heirloom instead.

Hold on sister. Before you accept that heirloom, you may want to think twice. While the idea of an heirloom engagement ring may ooze with romance, accepting the gesture can be more of a headache than it’s worth.

Read the rest of the article on the dangers of giving a heirloom engagement ring.

Danforth Diamond Goes 3D with Diamond Engagement Rings February 15, 2008

Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Engagement Rings, Diamond Jewelry, Diamonds, Engagement Rings, Press Releases, Proposing Marriage , add a comment

Leading diamond company adds 3D viewing for diamond engagement rings

Midlothian, VA – (PRWeb) – February 15, 2008  Danforth Diamond, a leading provider of diamond engagement rings, is proud to announce the addition of 3D view for their engagement rings to allow for an enhanced buyer experience.

As more and more buyers are deciding to purchase their wedding rings and diamonds online, the demand to know exactly what they are buying is growing. While some companies have created digital 3D representations of their rings, Danforth Diamond has created 3D images of their actual rings. No digital representations.

“We [Danforth Diamond] wanted to make sure that our customers knew exactly what they were getting by shopping with us,” Jill Renee, president of Danforth Diamond said. “Our 3D diamond engagement rings are the perfect way to see exactly what you want to buy to make sure you get the diamond engagement ring that’s perfect for her.”

With twenty of their most popular diamond engagement rings, and more to come, Danforth Diamond has placed themselves on the cutting edge of online ring sales. With this move they hope to provide a service that is appreciated by both their loyal customers and the new ones they gain every day.

About Danforth Diamond

Danforth Diamond is a leading online provider of diamond engagement rings, wedding rings, diamonds, and other jewelry. Their selection of white gold, platinum, and palladium engagement rings is unrivaled and offers options to fit every style and budget. Visit Danforth Diamond online to learn more at: http://www.danforthdiamond.com .

The Top Destination Proposals January 22, 2008

Posted by Jill Renee in : Destination Proposals, Engagement Rings, Proposing Marriage, Romantic Tips , add a comment

While finding the perfect ring to propose with can be an exhaustive search, what really seems to confuse many is the actual proposal itself. When and where to pop the question can be stressful at best, and since it’s a story that you’ll both be telling for the rest of your lives together, getting it right is incredibly important.

With that in mind, more and more couples are turning to the destination proposal as a way to give the beginning of their lives together a unique twist that makes it their own. While the destination proposal will certainly take quite a bit of planning, with a little help from friends and family, and a nice sized bank account, the following destinations are a great way to ask that special someone to spend the rest of their life with you.

Venice, Italy

A city built on the water, there are few cities in the world more romantic than Venice. While proposal locations within Venice are numerous, I suggest skipping out on St. Mark’s Square and taking a gondola ride for the proposal. The combination of singing, privacy, scenery, and the tradition of kissing while passing under bridges, is the perfect combination for a proposal that will stick in her mind forever.

Paris, France

The city of lights is sure to light up her face when you show her the diamond engagement ring you’ve selected for her while standing atop the Eiffel Tower. With a view of the city that can’t be rivaled, you’re sure to take her breath away when you get down on one knee hundreds of feet in the air with all of Paris as your backdrop. Rumor has it that this was the method Tom Cruise used when he proposed to the lovely Katie Holmes.

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Picking the Right Diamond and Ring Setting October 11, 2007

Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Diamonds, Buying Engagement Rings, Buying Jewelry, Diamond Jewelry, Diamonds, Engagement Rings, Jewelry, Palladium Jewelry, Proposing Marriage , add a comment

Deciding to propose to the special somebody in your life is a huge decision, one that will lead you down a path of even more decisions. Of course, the first thing that needs to be decided after you’ve decided to propose is what type of engagement ring to get. Between diamonds and settings there are so many choices that it can be overwhelming. Hopefully this can be cleared up.

The Diamond

While you’re probably more than familiar with the 4 C’s of diamonds, there are other things to consider when choosing a diamond, chief amongst them, the shape. Here we’ll focus on the shape and two of the C’s; cut and carat. Clarity and color can be saved for another day.

The Shape
With so many shapes out there it can be confusing as to the actual differences, so let’s simply talk about each of them and their individual merits.

” Round” the most basic of diamonds, and the only shape not considered “fancy,” this shape is very much how it sounds – a rounded diamond in the shape of a circle.

Princess Shape“Princess” arguably the most popular shape, this squared diamond has only grown in popularity while still being a relatively new shape. The princess diamond tends to find its way into solitaire engagement rings more than any of the other shapes.

Emerald Shape “Emerald” a rectangular shaped diamond, this shape is reflective of a classic and aristocratic elegance. Unlike other diamonds, the emerald shaped diamond is not a brilliant cut but rather a step cut, being comprised of larger, planar facets that resemble stair steps and act like mirrors.

Marquise Shape “Marquise” long and slender, this shape, originally commissioned by Louis XIV of France, is wonderful for maximizing the carat within the setting. The marquise shape will accentuate the length of the fingers and works well on a person with longer fingers.

Oval Shape “Oval” as the name implies, this diamond shape is a very simple oval. This shape works very well with smaller hands and shorter fingers, giving them the illusion of added length.

Pear Shape• Pear – a hybrid shape combining the best elements of the oval and marquise shapes, it resembles nothing so much as a teardrop. Typically used in pendants and earrings, this shape compliments short to average length fingers, helping to give the illusion of longer fingers much like the oval shaped diamond does.

Heart Shape• Heart – essentially a pear shaped diamond with a cleft at the top, the heart shaped diamond is the ultimate symbol of romance. This shaped diamond is frequently seen in pendants but is more than acceptable as a choice in a ring.

Radiant Shape• Radiant – this square or rectangular shaped diamond does an excellent job of combining the elegant and classic appeal of the emerald shape with the brilliance of the round shape.

Trillion Shape• Trillion – a wedge of brilliant fire, the trillion shaped diamond was first developed in Amsterdam. Traditionally a triangle shaped diamond, the amount of point at the corners is often open for interpretation, but these diamonds work well as both a compliment to a center stone, a unique center stone in themselves, or as a pair of earrings.

Baguette Shape• Baguette – very reminiscent of the emerald shaped diamond, this shape of diamond is frequently used as side stones to a larger center stone. Much like the emerald shaped diamond, the baguette shape doesn’t feature nearly the sparkle of brilliant shaped diamonds, but does offer a classic beauty that is hard to match.

The shape is only the first part of what to look for, at least initially, when considering a diamond for an engagement ring.

The Carat
Carats are essentially a way to measure the weight of diamonds. While the use of the carat measuring system may date back to ancient Oriental bazaars and the carob seed, in the present we know that the more carats in the diamond, the bigger it is.
While the size of the diamond that you get can be determinate on a number of factors, not the least of which is cost, the Setting and Mounting that you choose can also have an influence on the size of the diamond that you get for your ring. (more…)

Proposing at the Holidays September 24, 2007

Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Engagement Rings, Diamond Jewelry, Diamonds, Engagement Rings, Holiday Proposals, Proposing Marriage, Romantic Tips , add a comment

If you are planning to propose this holiday season here is a great idea. It takes a little planning but you will be a superstar fiancé by Christmas Day!

Advent Calendars are a wonderful holiday tradition.

Although the traditional calendar is a wooden box etc Use your imagination and create your own. Wrap twenty four small packages and number them with the corresponding date of the month..have your girlfriend open package number one on December 1 and so on…on December 24 or 25 put your engagement ring in the package. If you are afraid she will peek wrap an empty box and arrive with the “real” package in your pocket. Tell her you forgot to include the gift and pop the question!!

Here are some ideas for the twenty five packages:

Selling jewelry over the internet has been a wonderful adventure this past year. Although our company was launched in December 2005 things did not really get rolling until this past year. As a matter of record I felt a little like the Maytag repair man for the first year! Although I have been in and around the jewelry industry for most of my life; selling through this new medium has been wonderful. One of the best parts is not having to get dressed up in heels to go to work. I can sit at my computer and converse for hours with my customers and potential customers. Now that is the BEST part. I have gotten to speak with and sell to people all over the world and it amazes me at how similar most of us area we all want to be treated with respect and honesty and we all are so happy when we are in love. Especially when we are preparing to get engaged!! It’s one of the most wonderful times whether you are young or old it does not make a difference! That’s why we make sure each ring is made with tender loving care. One of our mottos is that we need to be sending out good karma with every ring so that the good karma comes back to us! This has its ups and downs because we will not ship a ring unless it’s perfect. We are a company that is heavily female and we all love jewelry so if we wouldn’t want it we won’t sell it to our customers. Our production team has accused us of being perfectionists and that’s how we like it. Even I have been disappointed when I have ordered potential product for the website. It looks beautiful in the pictures but when it arrives its very lightweight and flimsy or the necklace or earrings don’t look or sit right when being worn (we try everything on!). This type of product never will show up on the Danforth website. As this year comes to a close I wanted to thank each one of our wonderful customers (yes we do have the best customers) for a successful year. I wish you all the happiest and healthiest of New Years!

Best Wishes,
Jill Renee

Asking Him the Big Question August 9, 2007

Posted by Jill Renee in : Proposing Marriage, Romantic Tips , add a comment

This is a question that I recently got in an email that I thought I should share with everybody out there along with my response:

Dear Jill,
I would like to propose to my boyfriend. We’ve discussed everything from prenuptial agreements to both of our children. We live in separate places even though we’ve been together for 3 years. We share the same ideas, we talk a lot about everything thing, even marriage. My boyfriend is fearful, he’s concerned about having enough time and money. We both have our own finances, our kids get along very well. The kids even want to know when we are getting married.
What would be a good way to propose to him without feeling like I have made him feel uncomfortable? Your feedback would be appreciated.

Thank you,
T

Dear T,
Your dilemma is very common. You have found the person who you want to spend the rest of your life with. Everything seems perfect, yet your man is hesitant to make that final commitment. There are probably lots of reasons why not BUT you know there are lots more reasons to!
Make a list of the positive aspects of marrying. Then play the devils advocate and think of all of the reasons not too. Think like he thinks…put yourself in his shoes when you do this.
After you take the time to think through this for yourself, it’s time to talk with your man.
You need to be face to face because his body language will tell you a lot about how he is feeling. You need to speak from your head as well as your heart. After explaining that marriage is the next logical step in your relationship and that it is something from which you will both benefit. Listen to his response.
If he says no, I am not ready you will need to decide if you are willing to stay in this relationship with no hope of commitment. A good solution would be to say…ok I will expect that we will be engaged by …or we need to go our separate ways. This gives him time and doesn’t trap you in a dead end relationship.
I suggest this approach over just popping the question because you have both been in marriages before and have children. This method shows thought and will give you the best shot at helping your hesitant man get over his concerns about timing and money.
Hope this helps. Remember it’s just my 2 cents and I know you will make the right decision.

Best Wishes,
Jill Renee

Check Your Relationship Compatibility February 5, 2007

Posted by Jill Renee in : Proposing Marriage , add a comment

You’re in love, and you want it to last. Whether you’re looking at engagement rings, or you’ve must received the diamond engagement ring of your dreams, Make sure that you and your beloved see eye to eye on the most important aspects of your relationship before you cross the threshold of marriage.

When it comes to the future of your relationship, theknot.com advises that sometimes questions are the answer. In “Proposals: Are You Ready for Married Life,” author Alison Salat Bernstein tackles the key areas of marriage: your relationship dynamic, sex, money and family goals.

Proposals: Are You Ready for Married Life?

By: Alison Salat Bernstein

You’re about to take the plunge — but you both need to think about some things first, if you haven’t already. Here’s a checklist…

So you’re in a relationship, and you’re thinking about taking the plunge of all plunges — marriage! How can you be sure, really sure, that you’re making the right decision? Well, you can’t. But we’ve come up with a list of issues to help you with the big questions. Read through them and see what you think.

Read more of: “Propsals: Are You Ready for Married Life?“

Save Big Bucks When Shopping on the Web January 3, 2007

Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Engagement Rings, Buying Jewelry, Diamond Jewelry, Engagement Rings, Jewelry, Proposing Marriage , add a comment

When shopping for gifts, whether for ourselves or someone else, all of us are looking to save a few dollars. No matter what you’re shopping for, from a diamond engagement ring for popping the question to a scarf for Grandma – you will save big bucks by shopping online.

The key to maximizing your savings is knowing where to look to find the best bargain. And comparison shopping, by visiting various websites, is the only way to go. Instead of fighting the hustle and bustle that comes with comparison shopping at various brick-and-mortar locations, you can find better pricing options and cover more stores with the click of your mouse.

In the past, shipping and handling fees may have deterred you from shopping online, but retailers have started minimizing or waving those fees for customers who spend a certain collar amount. And while major retailers such as Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Macy’s have online websites, you may be able to stretch your dollar further by shopping with other established, smaller E-tailers.

Here are some examples of price comparisons between different websites and traditional brick-and-mortar retailers. (more…)

Does He Stand Up to the Quiz? December 28, 2006

Posted by Jill Renee in : Engagement Rings, Proposing Marriage , add a comment

He’s on bended knee before you and the stars in the night sky are sparkling, and he’s giving you his beautiful interpretation of “I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” and everything is phenomenal and romantic . . .

And then he opens the pretty little box with the most exquisite diamond engagement ring you’ve ever seen, and you can’t think of one reason why you wouldn’t say yes to his wedding proposal.

Here’s a thought: whether you’ve already said yes, or you think your relationship is moving toward a wedding proposal, before you glide down that aisle toward nuptial bliss, ask yourself these questions from iVillage’s “Is He the One?” article written by Susan Swimmer. It can’t hurt to take an objective look at your relationship before you decide to make such a huge life change, right? This insightful article can help reaffirm that you’ve found what you’ve been looking for, or help you come to the conclusion that it may be time to move on.

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Is It Time to Pop the Question? November 28, 2006

Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Jewelry, Proposing Marriage , add a comment

You love each other, you depend on each other, and you can’t imagine life without each other. While you may be thinking about making it all official, how do you know he’s thinking the same thing? Does he want to pop the question, but he’s waiting for a sign from you? (Because if he’s even THINKING of popping the question, you want to make sure that he knows what kind of diamond engagement ring you want – after all you’ve gotta wear that thing for the rest of your life!)

While you may be confident that you’re ready for a lifetime commitment with the love of your life, how do you know he’s ready? It’s no secret that women are often ready to stand in front of the altar long before their partners are. (more…)